Page 11 of The Logic of Loyalty

I can’t wait.

Chapter Four

TREVOR

One Week Later

“Where are we going to lunch today?” an excited Krista asks from the doorway. She’s leaning against the open door, dressed in a black pencil skirt and a silky blue top. The color makes her light blue eyes bright against her tanned face. Her blond hair is loose and smooth over her mostly bare, slender shoulders.

I pop my eyes back up to meet hers. A flash of something crosses over her features before she taps her fingernails on the wall.

I was annoyed with my mother when she made the suggestion to me weeks ago, but spending the workday with Krista has become something I look forward to from the moment I walk through the doors every morning. She’s a breath of fresh air in this soulless place, and the fact that she sees my father for what he is and looks out for me while at work makes her an excellent companion. A “partner in crime,” as she likes to put it.

“I was thinking a quick bite at Rosie’s Grill while they finally get that stink out of the vents.” I wave my hand in front of my face in an exaggerated way for emphasis. “I could use a sandwich today, don’t you think?” She shifts through the door and saunters up to my desk, where she props against it. “Yes. That sounds perfect.” Krista leans into me and says privately, “Your father just went into the break room, but we should give it a couple of minutes before we can make a clean escape.”

I meet her eyes, grateful for her interference, and move closer to respond. A clearing of a throat at the door stops me in my tracks. I redirect my attention and find my baby sister standing there with a frown marring her face. Probably running some silly errand for Mom.

“Hey, Trevor, I was stopping by to talk to Dad about something.” She eyes Krista where she stands, leaning against my desk, before meeting my eyes again with a raised brow. I think I see Krista smirk before straightening up. But when I look at her directly, she’s just smiling at her friend.

“He’s in the break room.”

“Really? I⁠—”

“You also won’t see Bobby. He’s already out to lunch with a client.”

“Oh, okay. Well, thanks.”

I look between the two women in confusion. There’s a lot of underlying tension in here. Aren’t these two friends? What did Bethany do to make Krista act this way?

Bethany has gotten me into trouble more times in my lifetime than I can count. She tends to complain or whine to the right person when things don’t go her way, and then goes crying to Dad to make things better. I can’t count the number of times my father has had something to say about making sure I included her in one thing or another. Word would always get back to him if or when I didn’t, and I always knew it was Bethany.

She gives us a strained grimace and another loaded look at the space between Krista and me that makes me sit up a little straighter. “Alright. Well, I’ll see you later,” she says hesitantly. Then she walks away.

Odd interaction all around.

Krista drops her voice. “I hope she doesn’t say anything to Paige.” I whip my head back around to look at her.

“Say what, exactly?”

“You know how she gets.” Krista sighs and leans over my desk, her shirt dipping with the move. “She’s going to start telling rumors. I just know she’s going to make it seem like this”—she moves her finger between us— “is something more than it actually is.”

I actually laugh. “I think everyone in Briar Ridge—hell, in the whole-ass county—knows that Paige holds my heart and soul in the palm of her hand.”

Krista hums and looks at her watch. “We’d better head out now if we want to make it before the lunch rush and if we want to stay out of maintenance’s way.”

I check the time, too, and agree. “It’s stupid that they can’t clean in here during the night, don’t you think?” I pocket my keys and search for my phone.

“Right here.” She passes it to me, reading my mind as usual.

“Thanks.” I shake off the weird tension of the last few minutes and guide her to the door. “Do you need to grab anything?”

“I’m ready when you are,” she answers with a flash of her white teeth.

We head out to my car, passing Bobby on the way out. He dips his chin at me and completely ignores Krista beside me. Rude.

Krista slips into the passenger seat of my car, and I climb in behind the wheel. A couple of weeks ago, on our way out to lunch, she brought up a good point. It was ridiculous for us to drive separately whenever we had lunch together, so I’ve been her unofficial chauffeur for our lunches out. Besides, I’m the boss. I should be spending the gas money.

Krista digs into the peppermint container and pops one into her mouth. “I’m so excited to try their new drink,” she gushes, bouncing in her seat.